OpenAI employee who left for Apple took files about unreleased device, OpenAI alleges - Reuters

A filing in U.S. federal court in San Jose alleges that a former OpenAI employee who left the company to rejoin Apple transferred more than 100 files containing highly confidential information about an unreleased OpenAI hardware device to personal accounts. The filing states that the files include detailed images, engineering and manufacturing data, supplier information, cosmetic finish standards, and reports on coating and sealing of hardware components. It also claims that the former employee later delivered a presentation on the unreleased product to senior Apple leadership.

The employee in question had previously worked at Apple, joined OpenAI for a six‑month period, and then returned to Apple. According to the complaint, the presentation to Apple executives took place months ago, and OpenAI contends that the disclosed material is now circulating within Apple, potentially influencing Apple’s own AI‑related product development, including the HomeView product announced this week.

The dispute is part of a broader trade‑secret litigation between the two companies. Apple filed a lawsuit earlier in the year accusing former Apple engineers of taking confidential information to OpenAI’s hardware division, a claim OpenAI has denied. In August, Apple presented what it described as “shocking evidence” from a forensic analysis of a laptop used by a former engineer who moved to OpenAI. More recently, a U.S. District Court judge granted part of Apple’s request for early access to digital files from OpenAI in the ongoing case.

Apple has responded that it has policies and procedures to prevent new hires from using confidential information from prior employers and that it has found no evidence supporting OpenAI’s allegations. The company reiterated that it has not identified any misuse of proprietary data by the employee in question.

Both parties remain engaged in the litigation, and the court’s forthcoming decisions on the disputed materials will determine the next steps in the trade‑secret battle between the two technology firms.